The most important thing to keep in mind after you’ve had your body piercing done is that you’ve essentially just suffered an open wound, and you need to care for it exactly as you would a surgical wound or injury. That is, with the same kind of care, cleaning, and attention that you would give to a serious injury to make sure you don’t scar or get an infection. There are two different types of body piercing to consider: non-oral and oral.
Non-Oral Body Piercing Aftercare You can’t overemphasize keeping your piercing clean! It just can’t. Twice a day, every day, without fail. No apologies. Use a mild antibacterial soap that is fragrance-free, such as Provon® Antimicrobial Lotion Soap or Satin® Therapeutic Skin Cleanser, both of which are approved by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). The best place to clean your piercing is usually in the shower, where the warm water will help loosen and remove those crusts around the base of your jewelry. Use a cotton swab or Kleenex to remove them, then discard the swab or Kleenex. Never use a wipe, these things are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria! Same for bath towels after showering! Then, with clean hands, gently clean the area with the soap and rotate the jewelry so the soap gets into the piercing and allow it to sit for a minute or two. After spinning it again, rinse thoroughly with warm, clean water. Be sure to get all the soap out to avoid irritation. Rinsing is very important, so try to be thorough without irritating the area. It often helps to cup your hands and spray water over the area, as the shower stream can be a bit difficult to aim directly at the area. Don’t forget your sea salt baths After cleansing, a sea salt bath helps remove any infection and piercing impurities while soothing the area and calming any inflammation that may be present. Mix about ¼ teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Using a disposable cup, soak the piercing in it for ten minutes the first time and five minutes each time after that. If your piercing is in a place that makes it difficult, apply the solution with cotton swabs, tissues, or some other disposable product that is soft and clean. Never use a tissue, washcloth, or any other item that is going to be reused. Always dry your piercings with cotton balls, cotton swabs, or tissues; don’t rub them, pat them down. This reduces irritation and possible tearing of the skin and helps promote healing. Although it seems like a minor step, keeping your piercings dry is actually an essential part of piercing aftercare because it reduces the chances of bacteria breeding (they love a warm, moist place to play). If you’re unsure about mixing your sea salt baths correctly or it’s too inconvenient, there’s a new alternative on the market that’s less messy and portable. H2Ocean® Piercing Aftercare Spray is a pre-mixed sea salt solution containing lysozyme, a natural antibacterial that is gentle on the skin. Just spray it on the area and let it dry; It is easy to use due to its patent-pending compressed air supply system that produces a fine mist. This product is guaranteed to heal belly button piercings in just a month and a half if used regularly and is highly recommended by numerous piercing communities such as BME and Prick magazine. H2Ocean® also comes in a portable size to fit in your pocket or purse, making piercing aftercare easy on the go. X-pressions Piercing Aftercare Spray is also available for oral and non-oral body piercings and is a mild antibacterial solution with purified water in a non-aerosol spray with a pleasant mint flavour. Once a day (no more often, because you will unnecessarily irritate the area), check that the ends of your piercings are screwed on well. But first wash your hands with antibacterial soap. And now, some “no”
- Never put hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on a piercing; they dry out too much and will delay healing.
- Never use Neosporin on a piercing, as it can trap bacteria. Read the label; it actually says, “Not for puncture wounds.” Guess what? A piercing is a puncture wound.
- Never remove your piercing jewelry before the piercing is fully healed, which can take months or up to a year. If you suspect you have a piercing infection, see your piercing professional or doctor first.
- Do not sleep on your piercing until the initial healing phase is over.
- Do not wear tight clothing over your piercing during the initial healing phase.
Oral Piercing Aftercare For the first three to six weeks after an oral piercing, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial agent after every meal to kill bacteria and ensure that small food particles aren’t left around the piercing waiting to fester and become problems later. There are several excellent products on the market for this, including APP-recommended Biotene and Tech2000 Dental Rinse; these have the right ingredients and have the right potency to get the job done without being too strong. Don’t bother with mouthwash, because it’s not strong enough to do anything other than cover up your bad breath, which won’t be much comfort when you have a swollen, sensitive tongue from improper aftercare. You can also use a commercial antibacterial rinse, but dilute it so it’s not too strong. If your tongue develops a whitish or yellowish appearance, your mouthwash is too strong and will delay healing. Sea salt rinses…ahh! Mix the familiar warm water solution of 8 ounces of water with ¼ teaspoon of sea salt and rinse your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds after drinking anything other than water and after smoking. Not only is it a healing aid, but it can also be very soothing to the pierced area. If your oral piercing is sore or swollen, you may find some relief by allowing the crushed ice to melt in your mouth. Popsicles, sundaes and the like work too, but will need to be supplemented, like everything else, with a sea salt (or H2Ocean®) rinse. Brush, brush, brush You can keep your tongue and piercing as clean as you want, but if you don’t brush your teeth well, you’ll still have millions of bacteria in your mouth. Try to brush your teeth three times a day for the first few weeks of healing. Buy a new soft-bristled brush that is gentle on your piercing. Do not use a brush that you have already used before the piercing, as it will harbor old germs. You should also gently brush the balls on the ends of your piercing jewelry to prevent the natural buildup of plaque on your jewelry. Oral piercings “don’ts”
- Do not smoke, chew gum, or use snuff or scrubs during the healing period; these increase the risk of piercing infections astronomically.
- Don’t play with piercing jewelry or click against your teeth; this can cause cracking of tooth enamel.
- Do not engage in any activities, including kissing, that exchange bodily fluids during the initial healing period of several weeks.
General Tips to Improve Healing Success Proper piercing aftercare is the main reason for a successfully healed body modification, but your overall health and how well you take care of yourself is also a contributing factor. If you’re exhausted or your immune system is compromised, you won’t heal as quickly and you’ll be more prone to infections. For that reason, there are a few things to keep in mind any time you have any type of piercing to help ensure that your after-piercing care measures have the best chance of success:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Eight glasses a day minimum.
- At least eight hours of sleep per night.
- Try to limit the amount of stress in your life
- Vitamin C and zinc supplements to help speed up the healing process
- Lots of fruits and vegetables, and a multivitamin if needed.
- If the pain bothers you, take ibuprofen. If you feel comfortable, you are less likely to worry about the piercing.
Signs of trouble Even with excellent post-piercing care, there will be some swelling at the piercing site for a few days. You will also have a clear, watery discharge and maybe some light bleeding. The bleeding will usually stop within 24 hours, while the discharge can last for several days or weeks. This is simply draining the wound and actually helps prevent infection from the piercing. Signs that the piercing is in trouble include:
- Discharge that becomes noticeably thicker and yellow or green in color. This is a sign of infection and should be checked by a doctor.
- Swelling that lasts more than a few days, with redness and irritation. Consult your piercing professional or doctor.
- Red streaks from the piercing site and fever, along with body aches. Consult your doctor.
- Hives, redness, itching, and irritation around the piercing, which may indicate an allergic reaction to piercing jewelry. Your piercing professional can attempt to replace it with an alternative metal.
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing after the piercing, or a feeling that the mouth or throat is swollen shut. Seek emergency care immediately!
So how long does all this healing take? If you perform piercing aftercare correctly, your body piercing will heal cleanly and leave you with a beautiful new piercing without scarring, migration, or keloids. However, the time it takes to accomplish this will vary depending on the type of piercing being done. The general timelines listed below are for reference only. This all depends on your individual body’s response, how much stress you are under, and a thousand other variables. Earlobe or eyebrow: 6 – 8 weeks
Genitals: 4 weeks – 4 months
Labret/Lip: 6 – 8 weeks
Child: 6 – 18 months
Teats: 3 – 6 months
Nostril: 3 months – 1 year
Septum: 6 – 8 weeks
Tongue: 4 – 6 weeks
Cartilage: 3 months – 1 year Disclaimer: All piercing aftercare information provided in this document is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a guide to body piercing aftercare, but rather a starting point for making an informed decision regarding body piercing. If you have any questions or proceed with a body piercing, be sure to discuss the procedure with a doctor or piercing professional and get clear and complete instructions on piercing aftercare at that time. Evaluseek Publishing is not responsible for the accuracy of this content, which is based on the general consensus of the drilling community, which is constantly evolving and changing. This article on “Aftercare and Healing Essentials for Body Piercings” is reprinted with permission.
Copyright © 2004 Evaluseek Publishing.
